Pollo Campero, the Guatemalan fast-casual eatery famous for its fried chicken, is set to grow its presence in New York City. Recently, the restaurant secured a multiyear lease for its inaugural Staten Island branch, marking a new chapter in its expansion journey. Aside from this recent development, there is no information regarding an opening date. With this in mind, it could literally be months or even years away which is not unusual with fast food chains opening new outlets.

This expansion can be credited to the restaurant’s increased sales performance during the pandemic. Pollo Campero initially made its New York City debut in the Corona neighborhood of Queens back in 2004. Since then, it has steadily expanded its footprint within the city, with the establishment of five additional locations. Typically, opening a store costs between $2 to $3 million.

Presently, there are three Pollo Campero restaurants under development in Manhattan’s Midtown East, Harlem, and Chinatown neighborhoods. The overarching objective is to have a total of six operational branches across Manhattan by the coming year.

Founded in 1971 in Guatemala by Juan Francisco Martín, it has since become a popular international brand with locations in various countries, including the United States. The restaurant typically offers a menu centered around its signature fried chicken, which is seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices to create a unique and savory flavor. In addition to chicken, Pollo Campero often serves a variety of sides such as rice, beans, yuca fries, and coleslaw, along with a selection of sauces and condiments to complement the meal.